Thanks, Lesann. I am spiffing up the house, packing, making lists. How many suitcases does one woman need for a vacation to ensure she won’t get up north and think, I wish had brought …?? But I’m pretty sure I won’t’ forget anything. I keep a list of what I put in each spot, like the purse, the carry on, the main bags. Yes, two main bags. But my excuse? One is full of gifts.

I hope you all Celebrate the season with joy, finding the tiny blessings if nostalgia gets in the way!

I’ve only visited in Alaska and the Yukon, although one of my daughters lived in the Yukon many years ago. The north country is spectacular albeit ‘set apart’. Enjoy your time there, writing because you can’t not write, and blogging whenever you can. I enjoy your posts and hope to see you back here soon. In the meantime, enjoy Christmas. May you be blessed.

Thanks for your encouragement, and kind words, Careann. I have found that I actually can “not write” when I need a break. But it doesn’t last long, and it feels good when I’m back on track. Wishing the best for you and yours.

And though I shall be 900 miles to the north as the crow flies, in this technological age, I’m not any further away than an internet connection, and computer. And I’m not leaving immediately. I just must get on with the manuscript revision. Must, Must, Must!

Good morning, Laurie, what is left of it! Moving to Alaska is a big undertaking, and the experiences challenging. But so very full of awe and wonder. I hope you get to follow that dream one day. But don’t pick the southeast unless you love the rain!

As I wrote above, it is not as cold where I am headed. A lot of rain, and if the temperature drops, it falls as snow. When we lived there, our home was a mile from the Mendenhall Glacier. Hope you and the others have the opportunity to visit what they call “the last frontier” at some point.

Marion, I’m visualizing you off to Alaska on the Polar Express.Thanks for sharing the beautiful sentiments of your “wee poem” and enjoy every moment through the holidays with your family which is exactly where you should be. I join Kate in sending peace and love and the warmest of holiday wishes.

Thanks for the surge of peace and love, Patricia. I enjoyed your blog about the performers in Toronto so much. I’m heading to Juneau, which is a southern panhandle of the state, landlocked, and the only way in or out is by ferry or air. But the weather is not as cold as the northern section. Alaska is so big it is difficult to imagine. Some used to tease Texans, and say, “We might divide Alaska in half and make Texas the third largest state.

Thank you for sharing your home and your poetry this holiday season. Have a wonderful time with your daughter. Your wana 711 sisters will keep the homefires (blogfires:) burning until you return. Sending peace and love to you Marion.

Thanks for the peace and love, Kate, the best gift of all. I see the grandchildren so seldom that we are all excited! I am also grateful for the wana 711 sisters! (For those who may read this and wonder, this sisterhood grew out of an on-line class for social networking presented by Kristen Lamb, taken from her book “We Are Not Alone” [hence wana] and we support, teach, and help one another. )

I’ll be following the blog train from the north … might even see Santa!

Thanks for the reminder that the true spirit of the season doesn’t equate to things material and monetary. Years ago, I worked as a phlebotomist in a hospital. Being the low “man” on the totem pole, I got stuck working on Christmas Eve or Christmas. The holiday has a different meaning for those who are grieving or have lost hope. I witnessed it firsthand in the ER.

Thanks, Jennifer. I worked as an RN for many years and witnessed also those for whom the holiday added another layer of pain, but also detected some extra caring coming from the workers, the families and those who came by to comfort the patients. The families of those who work in departments caring for their fellow man must often do without their loved ones at this time, as the need for the police, the fire department, the hospitals, open restaurants, homeless shelters, linemen who restore power, etc. never ends.

Through the years my take on Christmas has evolved from childhood (the almost intolerable jumping up and down anticipation) through the quick passing of the actual day (Is it over already?) to the disillusionment after leaving home when nobody else could do it just right, like my parents did.

Finally, I was able to see more layers to the essence of Christmas and understood that the celebration … or lack of celebration … is as unique as DNA.

It was quite a revelation to learn that religions had incorporated so called pagan holidays into the arrival of winter, driving home that mankind needs to celebrate at times to lift their spirits, so celebrate on, I say! And for many of us, we need to be open to change and acceptance.